Deutsche Bahn Open Data Hack Day/Night

[Paul Kelly]

Saw this on another mailing list I'm on:
<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/db-open-data-train-challenge-tickets-16026244930>
(English translation at bottom of this mail)

The Deutsche Bahn is organising a 24-hour open data challenge at their
headquarters in Frankfurt (Germany) the weekend after next. Worth
mentioning I think, as their data should be at least as interesting as
the GB data from Network Rail and ATOC, and also because they've
historically been very hostile to the idea of open data. Perhaps this is
some sort of testing the waters.

I would almost consider going; opening of the German railway data could
be very exciting indeed, but the overnight hackathon aspect doesn't
appeal! Hopefully at least the documentation of the data formats will be
made available publicly on the web; that would be very interesting in
itself.

Paul



Rough translation from the German on that page (by me):
"Prototype an app to display timetables or crunch our data to create the
unexpected"

DB Fernverkehr AG und DB Systel GmbH are organising the DB Open Data
Train Challenge and giving you access to train schedule data for 24
hours. Anyone who's interested may take part - also people without any
railway background will be very welcome. Indeed your outside perspective
is certain to lead to exciting ideas.

Two challenges will be offered:
a) Develop a prototype to show timetables
or
b) Play with the data using creative ways and means - do what you want
with it.

Come in teams and bring your own hardware. Use this fantastic chance, on
the 30th floor of the DB Silberturm to showcase your ability and
exchange ideas with like-minded people. Plenty of food and drink will be
provided.

Schedule:
Friday 20th March
Entry from 16:30
17:00 to 18:00 Introduction to the Challenge
18:00 Kick-off

Saturday 21st March
15:30 Presentation of the results to a judging panel
16:45 Presentation of prizes

FAQs

Which data will be made available?
We will make available to you an extract of historical data from a
variety of systems. We'll try to prepare descriptions of the data
formats before the event so that you can prepare.

What should you bring with you?
Your own hardware, the desire to create something terrific, possibly
also a sleeping bag.

Who may take part?
Anyone - equally railway staff as well as "outsiders" are very welcome.
We recommend taking part as a team.

Who should take part?
For the challenge an IT-background would obviously be sensible. A
background as computer science-student, UI-designer or data analyst is
an advantage but not essential.

Which teamsizes would be sensible?
There is no prescribed team size. Probably a size between 1-4
participants would be most sensible.

Can I take apart by myself?
Yes, it is possible to take part as a 1-man team. Alternatively you
could form a team on the day; we will help with that.

Is there any age limit for the event?
No

[Peter Hicks]

Hi Paul

On 07/03/15 21:11, Paul Kelly wrote:
> The Deutsche Bahn is organising a 24-hour open data challenge at their
> headquarters in Frankfurt (Germany) the weekend after next. Worth
> mentioning I think, as their data should be at least as interesting as
> the GB data from Network Rail and ATOC, and also because they've
> historically been very hostile to the idea of open data. Perhaps this
> is some sort of testing the waters.
>
> I would almost consider going; opening of the German railway data
> could be very exciting indeed, but the overnight hackathon aspect
> doesn't appeal! Hopefully at least the documentation of the data
> formats will be made available publicly on the web; that would be very
> interesting in itself.

I don't know where the idea that all "hackers" work overnight came from
- a break and a good night's sleep beats endurance and caffeine.

It'd be really good to be able to show DB what we've done over here in
parallel with the event, convincing them it's a Good Idea and results in
better engagement.

@Pieter - any thoughts on how we could get DB talking to NR and start to
crack the European Open Data problem?


Peter

[Pieter Colpaert]

I've forwarded the original e-mail to the open-transport mailinglist
where Stefan Kaufmann gave a reply. He's probably the best person to know :)

https://lists.okfn.org/pipermail/open-transport/2015-March/000568.html

Kind regards,

Pieter

--
+32 486 74 71 22

Open Knowledge Belgium
http://okfn.be

Open Transport community
http://transport.okfn.org

[Stefan Kaufmann]

On 08.03.2015 18:33, Pieter Colpaert wrote:

> I've forwarded the original e-mail to the open-transport mailinglist
> where Stefan Kaufmann gave a reply. He's probably the best person to
> know :)

we'll see :D I'm not reading the list, so, if you'd like to direct any
questions to me, please CC me!

>> I don't know where the idea that all "hackers" work overnight came
>> from - a break and a good night's sleep beats endurance and caffeine.

I do agree wholeheartedly. I'll drop by myself, but since that will
practically be me being on the way between Ulm and Moers, I won't be
pulling any exhausting all-nighters.
Blame the idea of overnight hacking, excessive caffeine consumption and
a lack of bodily hygiene on that old nerd pride/nerd culture stereotypes
that don't seem to die (and are a major pain in the ass if you want to
address issues like diversity and inclusiveness – but that's a large
issue all by itself…)

>> It'd be really good to be able to show DB what we've done over here in
>> parallel with the event, convincing them it's a Good Idea and results
>> in better engagement.

Yes! Any ideas on how to do that? I'd say we use the chance to
discreetly distribute propaganda material with attending DB employees :D
I'll bring a set of the Open Data Manifesto posters; what else would you
propose?

>> @Pieter - any thoughts on how we could get DB talking to NR and start
>> to crack the European Open Data problem?

The main problem I'm seeing is that, right now, completely different
parts of the DB structure are slowly starting to take matters in their
hands. This right now appears to be an initiative by DB Systel;
parallely, DB Station&Service is making tiny steps towards opening their
station data (no schedules to be had there; it's mainly geospatial data,
opening hours, etc.).
So far, there does not appear to be any coordinated effort, but
individual department heads willing to drag their company kicking and
screaming into the 21st century. For me, right now seems to be a good
time to establish contact to these people and get them to talk to the
Open Transport community and their counterparts at NR – and if only so
they can present their co-workers with other people who don't think
opening up transit data is a revolutionary act that will, I don't know,
implode their trains or something.

regards,
-stk

[Lindsay Bleakley]

Hi Everyone,

I've spoken to a contact in Deutsche Bahn who recieved some feedback from teh event organiser.  This is the reply I've been given this morning:

"Hi Lindsay,

I spoke to the organiser of the hackathon and asked for some more information on the event. He said it was the first time that they organised such an event and that it had been done at very short notice. They will provide historical timetable data and some information on how to work with it. The event is rather small (max. 100 persons) as the main aim is to gather some experiences for potential future larger events. Likewise, they haven't really thought about international participants so far...

 

Michael said he would be happy if you could share the contacts of the interested persons with him, so they may be involved in the next, bigger hackathon (probably in autumn), that will last 3 days instead of 1 and where they will explicitly provide all information in English as well.

 

For more information on the hackathon next week, this is the website for registration:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/db-open-data-train-challenge-tickets-16026244930?aff=estw

 

I hope this helps!"

If anyone is interested in me passing on their details to DB for their next 3 day hackathon, let me know and I'll put you in touch.  just e-mail me on lindsay....@atoc.org

 

Thanks Guys

Lindsay

[Mike Flynn]

So who would be in TeamUK? 

Will you be attending Lindsay?->